Reference Request
Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution Archives
Record Unit 456
National Museum of American Art. Office of Educational Programs
Program Records, circa 1968-1991, with materials dating from 1920
Historical Note
The Office of Educational Programs had its origins in the Office of Museum Programs, established in 1968 to coordinate the activities of the Junior Museum, the docent program, the publication of postcards, and other events to educate the public. Susan Sollins, who held the title of Visual Information Specialist, was placed in charge of the Office and given the title of Chief in 1970. When she departed in 1970, her duties were transferred to the Department of Education, where Darrel Sewell was named Associate Curator of Education in 1970. He served as Curator of Education, 1971-1972. His successor was Peter Bermingham, who held the title 1973-1978.
Bermingham was succeeded by Barbara Shissler (from 1980, Barbara Shissler Nosanow). She served as Curator of Education 1979-1982. From 1983 to 1984, Nosanow's title was Assistant Director, Programs. In 1985 her title changed again to Assistant Director, Museum Programs. She remained in the office until her departure in 1988 when Judith O'Sullivan was named Acting Assistant Director, Museum Programs. In 1989 James W. Volkert became Acting Assistant Director, Museum Programs. In 1990 the name of the Office was changed to the Office of Educational Programs. Nora Panzer was appointed Acting Chief and held the position, 1990- .
Descriptive Entry
These records consist of files concerning the administration of the office, including monthly calendars and scrapbooks of the docent program, information on exhibitions, the records of the "National Survey of Accessibility in Museums in the United States," and a photograph album of artist Alma Thomas.
Index Terms
This collection is indexed under the following access terms. These are links to collections with related topics, persons or places.
Name
- Thomas, Alma
- Sollins, Susan
- Sewell, Darrel, 1939-
- Bermingham, Peter
- Nosanow, Barbara Shissler
- O'Sullivan, Judith
- Volkert, James W.
- Panzer, Nora
- National Museum of American Art (U.S.). Office of Museum Programs
- National Museum of American Art (U.S.). Department of Education
Subject
- Art museums
- Museums -- Educational aspects
- National Survey of Accessibility in Museums in the United States, 1986
Physical Characteristics of Materials in the Collection
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 456, National Museum of American Art. Office of Educational Programs, Program Records